Lynyrd Skynyrd On Playing The 2005 GRAMMYs: ‘Jimmy Page Was In The Front Row – Whoa!’

The GRAMMYs and rock and roll have always had an uneasy relationship. While some iconic rockers like Bruce Springsteen and U2 have shelves full of GRAMMYs, many others have never won a single one. Proud members of the overlooked GRAMMY club include The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks, Jimi Hendrix, ZZ Top and Lynryd Skynyrd.

But Music’s Biggest Night has at least paid tribute to Skynryd and the genre they’ve come to symbolize, southern rock. At the 2005 GRAMMYs, Skynryd led a supergroup medley that started with “Freebird” (featuring country singer Gretchen Wilson), “Fooled Around And Fell In Love” (with Elvin Bishop and Keith Urban), “Ramblin’ Man” (with ex-Allman Brothers Band member Dickey Betts and Tim McGraw) and “Sweet Home Alabama.”

The Skynyrd guys recently sat down with Radio.com and said that performing at the show as a thrill… not least because of who was sitting in the audience.

“Man, it was a great experience,” guitarist Rickey Medlocke said. “Standing up there playing to all those people. We looked down and Jimmy Page was in the front row, him and John Paul Jones. It was like, ‘Whoa!'”

Founding guitarist Gary Rossington said that crossing Les Paul guitars with Dickey Betts was a thrill, while singer Johnny Van Zant shouted out country singers McGraw and Wilson, adding, “You had P. Diddy down in front, people were standing up rockin out to ‘Sweet Home Alabama,’ it was really a cool night for us.” Watch the interview below.

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s latest album is 2012’s Last Of A Dying Breed, and they have tour dates booked through April to promote it. See their official website for more information.